20 June,2024 05:06 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Image for representational purposes only. Photo Courtesy: iStock
Doctors may soon be able to detect and diagnose cancer in patients using artificial intelligence (AI) that will allow for earlier treatment, a new study said on Thursday.
According to the study published in the journal Biology Methods and Protocols, the researchers from Cambridge University and Imperial College London trained an AI mode, using a combination of machine and deep learning, to look at the "DNA methylation" patterns and identify 13 different types of cancer, including breast, liver, lung, and prostate cancers -- from non-cancerous tissue with 98.2 percent accuracy.
"Genetic information is encoded in DNA by patterns of the four based -- denoted by A, T, G and C -- that make up its structure. Environmental changes outside the cell can cause some DNA bases to be modified by adding a methyl group. This process is called 'DNA methylation'," the researchers explained.
Each cell possesses millions of these DNA methylation marks. Researchers have observed changes to these marks in early cancer development; they could aid in early cancer diagnosis.
ALSO READ
The kids aren’t alright: Experts dissect the impact of social media on children
Look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaul
Health paramount, guard it to become developed country: VP Jagdeep Dhankhar
Here’s how you can feel energetic in the morning, according to Rujuta Diwekar
Five gynaecological cancers that every woman should be aware of
"Computational methods such as this model, through better training on more varied data and rigorous testing in the clinic, will eventually provide AI models that can help doctors with early detection and screening of cancers," said the paper's lead author, Shamith Samarajiwa.
"This will provide better patient outcomes," he added.
In addition, the researchers mentioned that identifying these unusual methylation patterns (potentially from biopsies) would allow healthcare providers to detect cancer early.
This could potentially improve patient outcomes dramatically, as most cancers are treatable or curable if detected early enough, they added.
Also Read: Yoga Nidra brings key changes in brain's functional connectivity during practice
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
